• Cetaganda

  • A Miles Vorkosigan Novel (Miles Vorsokigan, Book 9)
  • By: Lois McMaster Bujold
  • Narrated by: Grover Gardner
  • Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (3,171 ratings)

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Cetaganda  By  cover art

Cetaganda

By: Lois McMaster Bujold
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
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Publisher's summary

When the Cetagandan empress dies, Miles Vorkosigan and his cousin Ivan are sent to Cetaganda for her funeral as diplomatic representatives of Barrayar. Upon arrival, the two men are inexplicably attacked by a servant of the late empress. When the same servant turns up dead the next day, Miles and Ivan find themselves in the middle of a mystery.

Miles tries to play detective in a strange, complicated, and deceptively alien culture, while lascivious Ivan manages to get himself involved with several noble females at the same time, a diplomatic no-no of the first order. As the plot thickens, it becomes clear that it's up to Miles to save the empire.

With her usual skill, Bujold addresses timeless issues of human identity through the personal dramas of her characters.

©1996 Lois McMaster Bujold (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Set in a vividly realized world where Machiavellian intrigues are played out behind a facade of aristocratic discretion, this novel, like its predecessors, blends high adventure with wry commentary on the seemingly unbridgeable gulf between human ideals and political realities." (Publishers Weekly)

"[Even] readers who normally eschew science fiction will delight in Bujold's intriguing plots, appealing characters, and wry humor." (Library Journal)

"As witty and well-handled as is usual for Bujold....In the wake of Bujold's new Hugo, even greater swarms of readers will flock to this book and swell even more the number of her fans, which is only what she richly deserves." (Booklist)

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What listeners say about Cetaganda

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I could't put it down

Apparently there are more written book in the series but we don't have them here. The important thing is that the books listed below follow a sequence. (Wouldn't it be nice if someone were to add numbers to the books titles so as to make this less confusing, hint hint)
book 1) Warriors Apprentice
book 2) The Vor Game
book 3) Cetaganda

..as a side thought, it isn't that much that Miles is snooty(er) in this book, it's just the way the author reads it. It makes everyone sound snooty.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • DJ
  • 09-10-06

Miles will be Miles!

If you're at all familiar with the Miles Vorkosigan saga you will be drawn into this audiobook immediately and recognize the Machiavellian intrigue and humor Lois Bujold breaths into her stories. Having read the excellent novel, this audio edition holds up extremely well. The reader, Grover Gardner, brings nuance to the characters and expression to the story to make for an enjoyable listen. This is classic adventure story telling at its best. The pace is brisk. Miles is a reluctant hero, at times arrogant, who drags himself and those close to him through near fatal scrapes and adventures. As always, he must overcome his physical handicaps, convince others to follow him, and solve some tough puzzles to win the day. Yes, he does talk to himself frequently...this insight into his psyche is both humorous and enlightening. Frankly, I think this helps endear him to his fans. Audible should make the entire Miles Vorkosigan series available so listeners can hear them in sequence and fully appreciate this fantastic universe Lois Bujold has created.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Miles and Ivan on a mission!

This is not one of my favorite Vorkosigan novels, but as always, Bujold's writing is so excellent and funny and her characters so humorous and well-drawn, that it is entertaining all the way through. Miles and his decorative cousin Ivan are sent to Cetaganda, their own planet's long time enemy, as representatives of the royal family to the funeral of the Cetagandian Empress.

It is supposed to be a strictly diplomatic mission- just show up, stand where you're told, drop off the ceremonial gift and don't embarrass us! But of course things start to go wrong almost from the start and pretty soon Miles finds a mystery on his hands that he cannot resist looking into and is talking Ivan into covering for him... and wacky hi-jinks ensue!


This is one of the lighter of the Vorkosigan books. In many ways Bujold's writing is at its best when drawing light and hope out of horrible and tragic circumstances. But in between some of the 'heavier' events of Miles' life, it is nice to take a little break and this book not only accomplishes that, but also serves the longer plot arc of the entire series- something Bujold is also very good at. There are small references back to events in this book that show up later in the series and will provoke a chuckle or a 'ha!' from those in the know :)

Anyway, it's a Vorkosigan novel, which already means it's probably better written, funnier and more likely to grab and keep you wanting more than about 90% of the science fiction out there :)

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Addicted fan

I have to admit that I'm a sucker for Miles Vorkosigan stories. I'm not even quite sure why but this one was very satisfying. Anyone who is following this series should not miss this one. It is set very early in Miles's career and rounds out some of Mile's personality and relationship with cousin Ivan.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Wow

I don't know how it would be to read, but this book was awsome to listen to. Lois Bujold is clever, creative, tuned in to the kind of deep, wierd questions serious sci-fi fans sometimes wonder about and an excellent writer. Its hard not to laugh out loud during several parts of the novel. Great story.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lot of Fun

I've been working my way through the Vorkosigan series and loved Bujold's humor and lighter touch in Cetaganda. High points for me were when Miles first meets the gorgeous genetically engineered Haut-lady Rian and is badly smitten (of course) and his second interview with the Cetagandan security colonel in the presence of the Barayaran imp-sec officer, who realizes just how much Miles hasn't told him about what's going on. It is very funny stuff.

In this book the only two characters from the earlier novels are Miles and his cousin Ivan. So far as the series is concerned, in this book one learns a whole lot about Cetagandan society and culture. In the earlier books they were just the somewhat mysterious expansionist enemy, although Barayar and Cetaganda are currently at peace.

For those interested in listening to/reading the novels in the series in chronological order I believe it goes this way:


1) Shards of Honor,
2) Barayar,
(these two books concern Cordelia Naismith and Aral Vorkosigan, parents of Miles Vorkosigan)

3) The Warrior's Apprentice,
4) Short Story: ???The Mountains of Mourning??? (short story is contained in "Borders of Infinity"),
5) The Vor Game,
6) Cetaganda,
7) Ethan of Athos,
8) Short Story: ???Labyrinth??? ("Borders of Infinity"),
9) Short Story: ???The Borders of Infinity???,
10) Brothers in Arms,
11) Mirror Dance,
12) Memory,
13) Komarr,
14) A Civil Campaign,
15) Novella: ???Winterfair Gifts???,
16) Diplomatic Immunity,
17) Cryoburn.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A good installment in the series

The story stands alone even though it is part of a long series (or perhaps collection is a better term) of books that contain many of the same characters.

It is a mystery/detective novel set on a different planet. The main character, Miles, solves this puzzle and saves the day. The characters are believable and fully drawn.

The world is also well-drawn, the characters are interesting, and there is just the right amount of humor to make it a tad funny even though the story itself is not meant to be humorous.

The narration is well done. I will certainly listen to others in this series.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Miles is getting annoying

This book pails in comparison to The Warrior's Apprentice and The Vor Game.

Miles has grown very arrogant.

I personally think he should be punished by his commanders for his behavior.

I also got tired of all the desrciptions of poker faces and hand gestures, and Miles' snide little comments to himself and others. In real life he would be an embarrassment to his goverment for his utter lack of protocol.

The Cetagandans are also not as interesting as one would hope.

The whole book had a very tired and repetitive feel.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Mrs. Bujold keeps the Vorkosigan saga only rolling

Cetaganda is a good book in a great series. This, my 5th read in the ongoing Vorkosigan adventures, was a bit underwhelming. The mystery is somewhat confusing, due to the many characters and the coming and going between sets.
I really missed Miles’ mom and dad. The close knit affection the Vorkosigans share (with the reader as well,) lend a warmth to the stories that was missing. Here.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lady bubbles

Any additional comments?

Another great book. In this installment, Miles and Ivan go on a diplomatic mission to Cetaganda and Miles gets into trouble and Miles gets Ivan into trouble. This is a great addition to the Vorkosigan Saga. And I think my favorite line in the book is, '...van-like space clearly designed for the lady-bubbles.' Want to know what this means? Listen to the book.

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